Preliminary Case Study – A4: The Decline and Fall of the Romanov Dynasty
Duration: 8 Weeks
Unit Outline In this unit, students will study the decline and fall of the Romanov Dynasty, a period of Russian history that involved revolutionary reform and resulted in the overthrowing of the Tsarist regime. This unit will begin with the identification and exploration of key concepts such as..., and contextual information on Russian society and social structure. Students will be asked to identify and assess the social, political and economic causes that led to the demise of the Tsarist regime. Focus will be placed on the role of key personalities in particular Nicholas II, as well as analysis of the role and effects of World War One as a contributing event to the fall of the Romanov dynasty. Students will achieve an understanding of the key features, issues, individuals, groups, events and concepts within this case study by applying historical inquiry methods such as development and asking relevant questions, source analysis, gathering and synthesis of information from a variety of sources as well as presenting findings in a logical manner.
Targeted Outcomes P1.1 describe the role of key individuals, groups and events of selected studies from the eighteenth century to the present P1.2 investigate and explain the key features and issues of selected studies from the eighteenth century to the present P2.1 identify forces and ideas and explain their significance in contributing to change and continuity from the eighteenth century to the present P3.1 ask relevant historical questions P3.2 locate, select and organise relevant information from different types of sources P3.3 comprehend and analyse sources for their usefulness and reliability P3.4 identify and account for differing perspectives and interpretations of the past P3.5 plan and present the findings of historical investigations, analysing and synthesising information from different types of sources P4.1 use historical terms and concepts appropriately P4.2 communicate a knowledge and understanding of historical features and issues, using appropriate and well-structured oral and written forms
Students Learn About - Key features and issues · Political, social, economic and technological features of the Fall and Decline of the Romanov Dynasty o Structure of Russian society o The Tsarist regime o Economy- agricultural country · Forces for change that emerged o Reform and Revolution: Nicholas as autocrat, Stolypins reforms, Role of WW1 o Political, social and economic grievances: Bloody Sunday, Russo-Japanese war, October Manifesto · The nature of the political, social, economic and technological change that occurred o Rasputin, World War One · Impact of change on Russian Society.
Some teaching and learning strategies - Jigsaw Task o Ensures that every student has the responsibility of learning what was designated to them so that they can teach it to others in the class. - Mind map and brainstorm exercises - Class discussion - Teacher presenting to the class o Can use PowerPoint or Smartboard to support teaching - Source analysis tasks o Pre-made source cards are engaging - Pair tasks o Students bounce ideas off on another, allow for socialisation within the classroom on a managed level - Individual responses to questions o Allows for individual assessment as well as practice for writing in exam conditions.
Focus on literacy Throughout the unit there will be a number of opportunities for students to improve upon their literacy skills. Verbal, written and visual communication will be focused on throughout the topic, with time allocated for students to develop these skills. While verbal and visual communication are of importance, particular emphasis is to be placed upon written communication in the form of written essays, which includes the formation and development of arguments. Source studies and analysis is also to be focused upon, and by utilising differing types of sources, students can be sufficiently engaged.
Focus on ICT There will be numerous lessons and activities in which students will engage with ICT in order to develop their learning and understanding. Using websites for research, web applications for presentations and gathering media such as photos and videos to animate the topic are such examples of ways that ICT can be used to enhance learning. PowerPoint as a teaching tool will also be utilised in order to support lessons. However, the internet is not to be the only source of learning, so students should also be encouraged to utilise more traditional sources such as books. Furthermore, teachers should gather internet resources for their students that they are sure can be trusted.
Overview Map
In this unit, students will study the decline and fall of the Romanov Dynasty, a period of Russian history that involved revolutionary reform and resulted in the overthrowing of the Tsarist regime. This unit will begin with the identification and exploration of key concepts such as..., and contextual information on Russian society and social structure. Students will be asked to identify and assess the social, political and economic causes that led to the demise of the Tsarist regime. Focus will be placed on the role of key personalities in particular Nicholas II, as well as analysis of the role and effects of World War One as a contributing event to the fall of the Romanov dynasty. Students will achieve an understanding of the key features, issues, individuals, groups, events and concepts within this case study by applying historical inquiry methods such as development and asking relevant questions, source analysis, gathering and synthesis of information from a variety of sources as well as presenting findings in a logical manner.
P1.1 describe the role of key individuals, groups and events of selected studies from the eighteenth century to the present
P1.2 investigate and explain the key features and issues of selected studies from the eighteenth century to the present
P2.1 identify forces and ideas and explain their significance in contributing to change and continuity from the eighteenth century to the present
P3.1 ask relevant historical questions
P3.2 locate, select and organise relevant information from different types of sources
P3.3 comprehend and analyse sources for their usefulness and reliability
P3.4 identify and account for differing perspectives and interpretations of the past
P3.5 plan and present the findings of historical investigations, analysing and synthesising information from different types of sources
P4.1 use historical terms and concepts appropriately
P4.2 communicate a knowledge and understanding of historical features and issues, using appropriate and well-structured oral and written forms
- Key features and issues
· Political, social, economic and technological features of the Fall and Decline of the Romanov Dynasty
o Structure of Russian society
o The Tsarist regime
o Economy- agricultural country
· Forces for change that emerged
o Reform and Revolution: Nicholas as autocrat, Stolypins reforms, Role of WW1
o Political, social and economic grievances: Bloody Sunday, Russo-Japanese war, October Manifesto
· The nature of the political, social, economic and technological change that occurred
o Rasputin, World War One
· Impact of change on Russian Society.
- Jigsaw Task
o Ensures that every student has the responsibility of learning what was designated to them so that they can teach it to others in the class.
- Mind map and brainstorm exercises
- Class discussion
- Teacher presenting to the class
o Can use PowerPoint or Smartboard to support teaching
- Source analysis tasks
o Pre-made source cards are engaging
- Pair tasks
o Students bounce ideas off on another, allow for socialisation within the classroom on a managed level
- Individual responses to questions
o Allows for individual assessment as well as practice for writing in exam conditions.
Throughout the unit there will be a number of opportunities for students to improve upon their literacy skills. Verbal, written and visual communication will be focused on throughout the topic, with time allocated for students to develop these skills. While verbal and visual communication are of importance, particular emphasis is to be placed upon written communication in the form of written essays, which includes the formation and development of arguments.
Source studies and analysis is also to be focused upon, and by utilising differing types of sources, students can be sufficiently engaged.
There will be numerous lessons and activities in which students will engage with ICT in order to develop their learning and understanding. Using websites for research, web applications for presentations and gathering media such as photos and videos to animate the topic are such examples of ways that ICT can be used to enhance learning. PowerPoint as a teaching tool will also be utilised in order to support lessons.
However, the internet is not to be the only source of learning, so students should also be encouraged to utilise more traditional sources such as books. Furthermore, teachers should gather internet resources for their students that they are sure can be trusted.